Friday Food for Thought

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia14 Comments

Lately, I have been doing a lot of research on dog-related matters, especially nutrition and meds. Every time I learn something new, I realize how much more I have to learn.

For some time now, I have been wondering how much harm I have done/am doing by using insecticides in the forms of flea spray, flea baths, flea prevention, heartworm prevention and lawn products.  The question, “Why am I poisoning my dog?” keeps recurring, with the obvious answer of “for her own good.” Huh?

I want to do better than that, and I believe I can. So, without promoting or suggesting any particular action, I want to share with you some of the things I have learned. I realize you may shrug and say that’s not for me, or, hopefully, like me, be interested enough to dig a little deeper. Today’s link is about worms and heartworms and is entitled Prevent and Treat Bug Bites with These Natural Solutions and includes a link to an illustrated Heartworm Guide.  I am very interested in hearing your thoughts.

Have a good weekend, all!

Getting Comfy

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia25 Comments

I have seen the people put their feet and even their legs on this thing called an Otto Man when they are watching a movie. I like to watch movies with them, so I thought, why not try this?

It didn’t work out quite the way I had planned. Darn Otto Man!

So I went outside onto the patio with Riley and found a much  better way to get comfy with my best guy.

A Fish Story

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

Hi friends! I am patiently – yes, this is my patient look, Mom – waiting for my whole fish supper tonight. Well, it’s almost whole. Someone scooped the really good insides out of it. See, this is what happened: Mom went to the grocery on her way home from work last week and came home with more yummy raw food for me. She is always doing that. 🙂 She asked Dad if he was ok feeding it to me, ’cause she didn’t have the stomach for it. Isn’t that funny? I’m the one who has to have the stomach for it, BOL. To Mom’s surprise, Dad said yes. I could smell something really good, so I followed Dad outside to see what it was. He laid down a long plate in the grass and slid something I had never seen before onto it from a plastic bag. Dad said it was my supper. It was curious looking with eyeballs still in a head still attached to a body that ended in a fin. I licked it for a while, not quite sure what to do. Then I started nibbling at the middle section. I eventually worked my way north and then finished off with the south end. I’m telling you, this fish was almost as long as my tail.

After that, Mom decided that Monday was my “fast” day. Yes, I run very fast. I don’t know why that means no one feeds me on Mondays until supper, though. Dad said that meant they should give me my next big fish on Sunday night to “hold” me. Yuk! I don’t want no fish holding me. I just wanna eat it.

Wait, I smell something fishy.

Hello there, fishy.

 

Hmmm, you smell a bit different today. More fishy.

 

Here’s a little kiss for luck (he, he).

 

Oh, a fishy tail. You could be fun to play with.

Lucy: Mom, oh Mom…
Me: What is it Lucy?
Lucy: I don’t want to eat this fish. And I keep having to chase the flies off of it.
Jeff: It might have sat in the fridge too long.
Me: *sigh* Please go wrap it up and throw it in the trash bin.
Note: Lucy ended up eating chickie breast, Tylee’s Raw Beef Diet, and an egg. We have one more fish that’s in the freezer, so will try it next Saturday.

The Story I Love by Angel Lexi

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia14 Comments

You didn’t think Blogville could get away with telling about favorite stories without me, did you? After all, I starred in my favorite story.

WOZ 3

That’s me, way over on the right in Candice Dorothy’s arms. I am watching Mom for my next cue.  This was in Georgia, my birth state, at the second WOZ production I starred in.

I was Toto is three different productions. The first time was at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre and remains my and Mom’s favorite. It had the best crew and best director and biggest attendance. Over a period of six weeks seven thousand people came to see me perform. It was my first time as a thespian schnauzer. As soon as I hit the stage in front of an audience the first night, I knew I had found my passion. I was called a ham and a stage hog. What is it with the references to pigs? Could I help if I was enthusiastic during every scene, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night, as well as during the afternoon on Saturdays and Sundays? Could I help it if I danced back and forth on the stage with the Tin Man during one of his “solo” performances? OK, so maybe I could have helped that one. That’s the time I got called “that dog.” But I had been watching him for several performances and I knew the steps to the dance!

WOZ Collage

Mommy, thank you for helping me be the best Toto ever; for all the rides and treats and training and prompting and encouragement when I got tired, especially during my last performance. I remember how you held me and explained to me that it would be my last time on the stage, ever. You said you knew I was 11 years old and exhausted after performing once already that day. And you asked me to give it my all, my best, one last time. And I did. I shone. I performed like my life depended on it. I gave it everything I had, and you knew that. You were so proud of me, and that made me happy. I was your star.

As you remain, my dear Angel Lexi-Toto.

You can go to the Blogville Arts and Entertainments page to read more stories by more of our friends.

 

A Chilly Day

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia22 Comments

Today was a bit chilly and it seemed that everyone noticed I was cold. First, Mom tried to help while I took a nap. That was good.

When I woke up, my boyfriend Riley suggested we lay in a sun puddle. That was gooder.

Finally, we went out into the sunshine and played until we were both hot. That was the goodest.

May your days be filled with sunshine and cozy blankies.

Woofs and wiggles, Lucy

More Grooms by Mom

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia27 Comments

Hi, this is Lucy. I don’t get to meet most of the dogs Mom grooms. I don’t really even know what “grooms” means. So I will turn my blog over to Mom today to tell you all about it.

Lucy, you are one lucky dog to not know what it is to be “groomed.” But I do try to make the experience as good as I can for my little four-legged friends. I have been blessed to get the sweetest dogs coming to be groomed, and Chaz, Lizzie, and Shaggy Bear have been no exception.

I got the teacup yorkie, Chaz back in for his third groom with me. This time his Mom felt comfortable enough to leave him and go do other things while her little boy got beautified. I promised pictures last time, so I did better by at least getting an “after” of this five-year-old boy.

Chaz Hill

Next, Lizzie is a second-timer coming to me. She is a five-year-old shih tzu/ basset mix.  Lizzie has a beautiful coat, but gets hot, so her Mom has me shave her. Look at those little basset legs!

PicMonkey Image

Finally, another good boy, eleven-year-old Shaggy Bear – and was he ever! This was another second time groom with me. The first time was the middle of February. Shaggy Bear lives only a few houses down the road from me.

Shaggy

Shaggy Bear’s grandma made his mom give him a bath the day before his groom. Last time, I had to bathe him twice before the groom and once after, mostly because of fleas. They also took my advice on flea and tick prevention and all I found under all that hair this time was some old flea dirt from before the fleas were killed.  His grandma brought him and she has already booked his next groom in six weeks. With him beginning to come to me regularly, I may be able to talk them into a nicer-looking style and maybe share my “green bean diet” for him, too. No wonder he gets so hot! I renamed this dear shih tzu “Sugar Bear” after he got groomed!

That’s it for another episode of “Grooming with Amy.” Have a great weekend!

 

My Chewie.com Delivery

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments
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I think this box the guy in the brown clothes left here is for me.
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Riley, come see what’s in this box.
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I don’t see anything, Lucy.  Hmmm.
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(Getting ready for more aggressive exploration)
0510171937b
You’re right, Lucy. I don’t see anything either.
0510171937
I can’t believe chewy forgot to put anything in the box.
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Come on Lucy. Let’s see if we can find it.

chewie

Mom had put my new food away so it “didn’t go bad.” I got a great supper with my new raw diet food plus chicken livers plus greens plus strawberry caps. That all adds ups to mmmm. *chomp comp* Can’t talk, eating.

Visiting with Piper

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia20 Comments

I pinned Mom down again to tell you about her and Dad’s visit with Piper and Piper’s peeps. I know Piper from Blogville’s Spring Break, but he was pretty busy with his best girl, Shelby. Mom says Piper is her nephew. I think that might make him my cousin. Also, he and my boyfriend Riley are really tight.

Riley and Piper in 2012

Piper’s heart condition makes him fall over and not be able to move if he gets too excited, and that’s why I couldn’t go. In a way, it’s kind of nice to think someone would be that excited to see me. Plus, I had such a good time on my vacation…but then you already know that!

Piper’s sister Ella was there too. She likes to be close to people just like me.

 

Ella with Jeff
My Dad and Ella

 

Mom and Dad had a good time on their weekend vacation. There was lots of laughter and good food. Mom took some pictures of my cousin Piper.

Mom said please excuse that he is not bathed or groomed. His heart gives out and he falls over when those things happen. I know that not getting a bath or having your furs stolen sounds great to most of us pups, but I think Piper would rather get a bath than have a bad heart. 😦 Like Angel Lexi, Piper is black and silver, and they look a lot alike. Anyhoo, Mom says if you have an extra good thought or prayer you can spare, Piper could really use it.

Tomorrow I am going to try to pin down Mom again to tell you all about our my chewie.com delivery and food!

Wiggles and Wags, Lucy

 

 

 

Lucy’s Vacation

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Hi Friends! I promised to tell you what I was doing “next weekend” which has turned into “last weekend.” I tried to pin Mom down last week to write my blog, but she kept pushing me off her.

I went on vacation – without Mom and Dad! I stayed at this really, really, really, really nice lady’s house. Her name is Martha and I had met her once before when I still had my job at the church. She gave me a frozen pig’s foot just like the one I had lost, and it kept me so busy that I only dug one hole in her front yard. Ms. Martha took me in her car to her son’s house. I met Jax and Brody and we played hard.

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It was hot outside, so we cooled off on the patio together.

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On Sunday we went back and this time there were little people and another dog. I had so much fun!!

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We got back home to Ms. Martha’s just before Mom and Dad pulled in the driveway to take me home. I was happy to see them, but I didn’t want to leave. Like when I went to see My Grandma, I don’t understand why peeps can’t just all live in the same place. That way, we could all visit and play together all the time. Can someone please explain that to me?

That’s all I can tell you for now. Mom has to go to work. Maybe tomorrow I can pin her down to write in my blog and tell you about her visit with Piper while I was on vacation.

Lots of wiggles and wags, Lucy.

Much Dancing, New Diet and more

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia28 Comments

Hi, I finally got Mom (yes, I have shortened My Amy Mom to just Mom – Mom said it is OK) to sit still and help me blog again. She has been so busy, I almost get whiplash watching her run here and there. Mom and Dad (yes, I have shortened My Jeff Dad to just Dad – Dad said it is OK) were busy teaching two different couples who are getting married to dance. So they were gone two different nights every week doing that. Mom said my new diet needed some extra funding; more on that in a bit. Mom and Dad used to teach one of the brides, Savannah, and her Mom and a bunch of other teenagers how to dance a long time ago. I heard that Angel Lexi used to go and help at the dance lessons – for three years! That’s longer than I have been alive! So Mom went to Savannah’s bridal shower- I wonder if everyone got wet – and saw her dog Truffles. I wish I could have gone and played with Truffles. She was a rescue too. Her Mom says that it was really Truffles who rescued her.

Truffles

Truffles knows a lot of tricks, too.

Things had just settled down from all the wedding and dance stuff when Dad got asked to bring Mom to a big company party and teach everyone how to do a dance called the Charleston. They practiced at home first, and it looked like so much fun that I jumped around, dancing with them. The music made me want to dance and laugh, too.

charleston lessons 2017

That’s my Mom and Dad in the front with the Charleston dance contestants. They had a contest to see who could best dance all the moves they had taught, and the lady on the right side won. I bet I could have won if they had just taken me!

When all the dance mania calmed down, Mom and Dad got real busy packing up 22 boxes of studio cameras and other professional sound and video equipment in the garage. I heard Mom tell Dad that she was tired of parking in the driveway and that one way or another she was getting the car in the garage that weekend. I got to help! Mom will add them to all the other stuff she sells on a place called ebay. Anyone want some big cameras?

Lucy helping pack cameras
Are we done yet?

Mom has been researching something called a raw diet for me for some time now. She finally found enough information that she was comfortable starting me on it. Well, at least half on it. She said until she can find the right suppliers to get all the different kinds of raw foods I need to have a balanced diet, she is going to keep feeding me kibble in the morning. But boy oh boy I can hardly wait for my dinner any more. First, she cleaned out the freezer. There were all kinds of goodies in there. My first raw meal was elk and some fresh steamed carrots. OMD! It was so good! Then I got salmon and fresh, lightly steamed beet greens. After that came the shrimp.

I cleaned my plate every night except for that one thing that shouldn’t have been in my bowl. (Note from Mom: that is her HW pill.) After the freezer supply stopped Mom found some hamburger on sale, and gave me that with green beans. Can anyone say Amen!?  I’ve also had eggs, but I am not allowed to have the crushed shell until Mom walks across the street and buys some organic eggs from the neighbor who keeps chickens. Come on, Mom, it’s just across the street! 

Yesterday she came home with a whole chicken, except for the feet and head and some other stuff that was missing. She cut that up and tonight I had my first drumstick. Mom put coconut oil  and strawberries in my dish too. I loved them so much that I ate them first. Mom said that proves I am not, nor ever will be, a schnauzer. She said further proof was me losing my pig foot. Here’s what happened: Mom got the store’s meat manager to sell her two frozen pig feet and I was happily munching on one in the front yard while Mom butchered the big bush in front of the house. I decided to carry my best treat ever around our property for a while when Mom looked up from her butchering and I was gone. When she started to call me, I dropped my special treat and came running. Mom asked me where my pig foot was, and I couldn’t remember! I went over to where I had been lying and it wasn’t there. I sniffed and tried to follow my own scent and went all over the yard in the back and side and I couldn’t find it!  Mom couldn’t find it either. Well, at least we have established that I am definitely not a schnauzer.

Finally, tonight, Mom saw she had gotten a coupon in the mail for $15 off her first order at chewy.com. She has seen some great reviews, especially on Angel Dory’s blog, so decided to check out their raw food offerings. She not Tyleesonly found what she wanted for me, but used her coupon and activated a coupon on their site to get a second one free and free shipping. She said she saved about $50 and only paid $19. I am not sure what that means, other than 1. she will be able to buy me more yummy food and 2. maybe I will get great boxes in the mail from chewies.com.

I have more to tell you about the dog Mom groomed today and where I am going next weekend, but Mom said I have barked enough for one night and it will have to wait until next time.

Love and wags, Lucy.

Spring Break!

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

Some of my favorite pups had a ball, er, a great time, at the Blogville Spring Break.

Christmas the dachshund hosted a Treasure Hunt. Be sure to drop by to see what everyone found.

Piper and Shelby looking for the critter that left those huge eggs.

Oreo hosted the Surfing event. I didn’t see anyone wipeout, but boy, could they all hang 16!

Lucy surfing
Riley surfing

Madi and her Mom hosted everyone at Pullen Park, where there were tons of rides and things to do.

I’m Shelby and no one gets a ball past me!

 

Piper made up his own games on the Merry-Go-Round.

None of my crew wanted to go Hula Dancing (OK, Shelby did, but Piper refused), but you can go over to Dory’s Backyard to see all the hip swinging fun.You will also find more links to great food hosted by Abby Lab as well as more fun at Dory’s. You can also go on the journey to find out how a tropical date with Dory turned into a Spring Break with all the anipals honoring her. We love and miss you, sweet girl.

This is a blog hop.

Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…

Grooming: Yorkies and a Morkie and Updates

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia19 Comments

There has been a letup in most activity post Easter, including grooming. I got three dogs in this week. The first two have been coming to me every five weeks since 2014. They were referred to me by my original clients in our neighborhood, whose sweet pups I groomed last week. Because of the good care they get, there isn’t a lot of difference in the before and after pics. Both these pictures are “before.”

Slider, on the left, is a full-sized Yorkshire Terrier, with the very fine Yorkie hair. He always gets a scissor cut.  Slider is about seven or eight years old and he’s usually the cause of his folks being late to their grooming appointment. He gets the vibe of where they are going and runs and hides. Even so, he’s a very good boy. I do have to watch him carefully on the table, though, as he’s a “jumper.”

Here they are “after.” Peyton on the right is about six years old now. Slider’s folks answered an ad for a Yorkie for sale. When they went to see her and talked to the man selling her, they decided that she was not a Yorkie, and was stolen. They decided to buy her just to give her a good home if they couldn’t find her real owners. She’s smaller and longer than Slider, and is the darling of her little boy and dad. Have you caught the theme in their names yet?

Now I’m handsome!

Petey is one of my new grooms that I had mentioned in a previous post, but had neglected to get pictures. This was just his second time here. Doesn’t he look proud to be groomed? Pete is a ten year old Morkie (Maltese and Yorkie). As I mentioned previously, the breeder was selling these designer puppies for $1000, but giving away the males. Yep, his Mom snagged this dear boy for free. They live just around the corner from us.  Isn’t it funny that his Mom didn’t find me until I advertised my business on the Neighborhood website? She was so pleased that she posted Pete’s picture with a great review on the site today.

Finally, two updates. I mentioned in A Happier Nextdoor Story that Sadie Jo, who had come to me for the first time, was having some symptoms that I thought needed to be checked out. The vet agreed there was something wrong, but the bloodwork was only slightly off. Last week she died of pancreatic cancer. It was a huge shock to everyone, and her Mom is grieving hard.

Now for the good news. Angel Lexi asked for prayer for Sophie the schnauzer for an ugly-looking tumor on the bottom of her left ear. You can see it in the picture in the post. A lot of you responded with POTP and many prayers, and I can’t thank you enough. The biopsy came back benign and they will have the tumor removed soon. God is good.

Earth Day Challenge

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia12 Comments

I got excited about entering the Earth Day Challenge that Louis Dog Armstrong, who is in charge of the A&E Department, is sponsoring. The earth is the only home that I will ever have that will let me do my pee pee and poo poo on it. Seriously. Think about it. So I want to help make sure it is here as long as we are. I heard that it helps to plant a tree, so I  thought up something really special. I planted a Dog Treat Tree!


First, I dug a hole. Then, I planted a dog bone treat (see red arrow). Next, I made some fertilizer (see blue arrow). Finally, I fish ya’ll liced what the tree will look like when it is grown. I learned how to do that fish ya’ll lice thing by watching the video my Sister Angel Lexi made. I can’t wait until the tree is big and I can pick and eat the bones. I hope it will be ready in less than 87 days. I hope I did a good job for Earth Day!

Grooming Marathon

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia18 Comments

More new grooming clients are pouring in this week before Easter: Wednesday.  Chester lives in a nearby subdivision and is the darling of his three teenage peep sisters. He was a rescue and is about four years old. No one knows what breed this 20+ pounder is. Why don’t you leave your best guess in the comment section? His personality includes sweet and loving, a bit timid, very close to his family, and absolutely terrified of baths. He’s strong (Note to self: ask for help from husband/son next time I give him a bath), but definitely not a biter. Isn’t his shaved coloring absolutely gorgeous!?

0414171109c-1Today – Friday: I booked in five dogs. That’s something I haven’t done for years, so I did my back exercises before and between a couple of them. The first to arrive was Emmy, a darling  9-year-old shih tzu. I only took an after picture of her, since  she is on my “3 week plan.” Emmy first came to me six weeks ago via the Neighborhood website. She was full of mats, and I had little choice but to shave parts of her ears and other places to save her the suffering of me working the mats out. She returned in 3 weeks for a mini-groom. This includes a good brush out, nails, face, paws, and a bath at a discounted rate. Today, 3 weeks later, she got a full groom again. Ears are still growing out.

Next came two new pups, whose Moms also found me on the Neighborhood website.  Charlie is a 4-year-old long-haired dachsund. He only gets groomed twice a year, and he gets a complete shave-down. Charlie’s another one who hates baths. He scared me half to death when he screamed as I was cutting his nails. I thought for sure I had cut into the quick and hurt him. I pet him and told him how sorry I was. Then I looked at the nail, and there was no blood. I placed the nail clippers on the next nail and he screamed again.  He was anticipating pain. (Note to self: get ear protection) He also doesn’t like his paws shaved. Or his tail. At least he did no more than grab my hand once. I reflexively screamed, anticipating a bite. I guess we’re even.

Charlie’s  sister Rosie, an 11-year-old mini long-haired dachshund, was next. She lost her left eye to a possum a few years back. Talk about the perfect lady on the grooming table!

I asked their Moms why they didn’t just get short-haired dachshunds! Turns out, Charlie was a rescue, and precious Rosie was an unwanted puppy (by original owner). After the Moms saw their groomed dachsies, they asked how often people usually bring their dogs, and I saw the wheels turning. Maybe I will see them again soon. Now, where to get that hearing protector…

To finish off a great day, my two favorites showed up. I have been grooming them on my “3 week plan” for four years. In May of 2013, Jeff and I were taking Lexi for a walk and saw neighbors out with their small schnauzer and shih tzu. When they found out I groom Lexi, they asked if I would groom their dogs. That’s how I got started “grooming for pay” again. I only took “after” pics since they are never in bad condition. Just one more way Lexi enriched my life!

  Maggie
Dora

Thanks for following along on my grooming journey, and I hope you are enjoying it, too.

Moments in a Day

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia12 Comments

Amy here. It’s been a hectic two weeks leading up to Easter. I work at a church, so that should explain it. I keep thinking the pastor is going to keel over. Besides Easter prep, she had a wedding, a baptism and planned for a funeral for next Saturday. She has had church members admitted to the hospital, and others needing her at their homes. On Easter morning, we are welcoming thirteen new members and baptizing two more folks. This morning, my boss – who is the pastor of this church and has become my friend – walked in with two bouquets of flowers. When I jokingly asked, “Are those for me?” she said, ” Yes!” She wanted to show her appreciation of all my hard work and our partnership in making things happen.

     Flowers at work
     Same flowers at home

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was glad when my Amazon order showed up in the mail this morning. Do you love Anne Lamott’s works as much as I do? Two days ago (yes, I have Prime shipping with Amazon) I had decided that her new book, Hallelujah Anyway, would be a perfect gift to the pastor to just say thanks for who she is. We are so often on the same wave length!

As I sat waiting for the 12 page Easter bulletins to finish printing this afternoon, I also gave thanks for this church who honored their church dog with a memorial service and have held me in prayer as I continue to work my way through the grief of losing my heart dog. And, mostly, I give thanks to my risen Savior whose resurrection and love gives my heart hope. I wish my friends a joyous Easter and a blessed Passover.

Peace.

 

 

 

 

Lucy’s First Vacation

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia23 Comments

I went in the car with My Jeff Dad on Monday morning after he had stuffed his gut and didn’t give me any eaten breakfast and packed a whole bunch of stuff in the trunk and on the front and back seats. I got to sit in the back (as usual) on a black and silver colored bed that smelled like another dog. I notice that smell around the house a lot, too, and sometimes I get inspiration from it. You know, great ideas, like to go beg for food at the kitchen table.

Bye Chattanooga
Goodbye Chattanooga. I hope to see you and My Amy Mom again someday. 😦 

Since I didn’t even know what a vacation was, I was pretty nervous all day in the car. Where were we going and what would happen if My Amy Mom came home from work and I wasn’t there? I wouldn’t go peepee or drink any water when we stopped, and we seemed to stop a lot.

Lucy in car tongue out
I want to go home.

At the next stop My Jeff Dad pulled off a back road by a really huge field, took me out in the middle of it, and unsnapped my leash. I took this chance to go potty in some bushes. Suddenly, I spotted a rabbit!

Theres a rabbit
You can’t get away from me, you wascally wabbit!

I could have caught the bunny, you know, but it is too close to Easter to take that chance.

After 87 hours, we went into this really huge house with so many smells I couldn’t read all of them, and with lots and lots of bedrooms. Can you believe My Jeff Dad closed me in the bathroom while he went out and feasted on something? I sat on my new bed thinking about how I coulda-shouda caught the rabbit to snack on while he was gone. When he got back, he put my bed next to something called a meer. I could see myself in it, and I wagged my tail and stared at myself for a long time. I then chose to sleep in my very own peeps bed all night long.

Lucy in hotel
For fun, I tried to see if I could blend in with the carpet. (darn red collar)

The next morning My Jeff Dad brought me my own scrambled eggs. This time, I wasn’t nervous when we got in the car. This vacation thing was beginning to seem like a fun thing. I didn’t pant any more and My Jeff Dad figured out that if he took me over to the bushes, I would do my bizness even when he was standing there holding the leash. Then he started explaining to me that I was going to meet my Grandma and that I would love her and she would love me. He also eased my mind by saying we would stay just a few nights, then go back home to Chattanooga and My Amy Mom.

Jeff Dad weren't we supposed to turn there
Hey Jeff Dad, I think you missed your turn. Hey Jeff Dad, did you see that place that smells like hamburgers? Hey Jeff Dad…

It was only day two and My Jeff Dad said I was acting like a seasoned traveller. I’m not sure what that is, but he laughed and said it like it was a good thing.

We finally got to my new Grandma’s house, and she came outside to meet me. I knew she was a person of many years and I was careful not to jump or push against her. I wagged a lot and gently nudged her with my nose. She smiled and petted me and said I am a good dog. I spent most of the evening under her walker, cuddled up against her legs. It’s getting late here in this place called Ill in Noise, so I am going to go sleep on my new bed and dream about wascally wabbits and what fun we will have tomorrow.

Love and wags from Ill in Noise, Lucy.

Pee Ess: Even in Ill in Noise, I heard that my new friend Dory lost her fight with heart disease this week and has gone to the Rainbow Bridge. Her family greatly appreciates all the support they have received from their friends in Blogville. If you haven’t reached out to them, you can go here to do that.

A Beach Party Invite

Published on by Xena, Lucy and Chia13 Comments

Dear Shelby,

When Aunt Amy told me about the Spring Break Beach Party, all I could think about was taking you to the beach. I know you don’t really like water, so we don’t have to go swimming or participate in the Scuba Diving or Surfing events. But wouldn’t it be great fun to run free on the beach?

Shelby, you will be so beautiful running with me!

We could also join in the Treasure Hunt — maybe we will find some bones to chew! And the Amusement Park looked like fun too. I promise we will only go on the rides you like.

So, what do you say?   Yes  or    Yes  (or  _ Maybe, but probably YES)
Your biggest admirer,
Piper

P.S. Your protective brother Sidney can come, too, but he will have to find his own ride.